Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim remains hopeful star striker Radamel Falcao will be fit to start on Wednesday when they host Manchester City in the Champions League.
The Ligue 1 leaders have work to do in the second leg if they are to reach the quarter-finals as they have a two-goal deficit to recover, although as Monaco grabbed three away goals the tie remains balanced.
The Stade Louis II side’s chances of progress could well hinge on Falcao’s fitness as he has been in sensational form with 24 goals in all competitions, including six in as many appearances in the Champions League.
The Colombian forward suffered a knock to his hip in Monaco’s victory over Bordeaux on Saturday and Jardim has confirmed he is a doubt for their last 16 second leg, but the manager remains optimistic Falcao will be available on Wednesday.
Jardim said: “Falcao took a major blow on his right side and we will have to see how it evolves.
“I hope it doesn’t matter and that it is only a small hit but we will see the exams. “Falcao is an important player.
He was hampered for 11 or 12 days by a small muscle problem, so we did not take the risk of starting him against Bordeaux.
“He is feeling good and I just hope this injury to his hip is not serious, because if it is okay he will start the match against City.”
Falcao scored a brace in the 5-3 defeat at the Etihad Stadium in the first leg and he is 4.50 to score first on Wednesday.
Monaco are 2.60 to beat City and 4.33 to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
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